The South African State Theatre (Pretoria) embarked on an ambitious, yet profound commemoration of this year’s Mandela Day (18 July). The vibrant team, which saw the organization turn 67 minutes into three full days of total transformation of a North West school. Management and employees, spent the 3 days at Mmakaunyana Secondary School. A rural school that has been celebrating matric pass rates between 80 and (recently) 97.7 percent for the past 6 years.
According to State Theatre Human Resources head, Millicent Mopayi, the selection of the school to be recipients of this CSI make over, came as a result of the school excelling in participation at its schools set-work programme. The programme is designed to assist learners with bringing literature to life on stage helping the learners with overall matric preparation. Ms Mopayi highlighted are another feather to their unique criteria and approach, which encompassed a team building rooted in wellness, though the project.
“The aim was to revamp the matric block of classrooms along with the office block, but the state of the remainder of classrooms, led us to taking on the entire school revamp”, says Ms Mopayi. The state theatre management, staff and maintenance department spent 3 full days, painting, welding classroom burglar gates, fixing lights and tree planting at the school.
The chairman of the SGB, Simon Mararela lamented how the school was in dire need of revitalization and resorted to pleading with parents on certain revamps and them finally calling on parents to contribute with their hands, which was not making much of a difference because most parents couldn’t pitch for one reason or another.
The principal, Mr Hamlet Poo lauded the contribution by the State Theatre as greatly assisting and a morale booster for his students. When asked about the school’s secret to the pass rate, he stressed both the challenges and outcomes of instilling discipline, having the scholar adapt to extra classes and panctuality.
The day of the handover, was a real treat for students and parents and was graced by State Theatre’s energetic and visionary CEO, Shane Maja as well as television and theatre actor, Terence Ngwila. It was a real surprise for the Maths and Science students, arriving from a study camp on Friday, to find these festivities and revitalized classrooms to go back to.
During his speech, Mr Maja announced that the State Theatre will be adopting the school for further assistance, including assigning the state theatre maintenance department, being on standby to assist with any plumbing, electrical and other maintenance challenges that the school might suffer. This was a real take away, after having covered initiatives that created no lasting legacy programme at these Corporate Social Investment events. They respond to nothing beyond a tick on their box, cheque for their tax breaks. The South African State theatre, went above and beyond, to create a pleasant learning environment and a lasting legacy.
P.S. Please make sure you don’t miss The Slyso TV Podcast on the 27 July for our Season 2 finale which will include an insert on this initiative by the South African State Theare.
Do visit their website as well as their exciting theatre subscription service, SAST TV: https://www.statetheatre.co.za/tvchannel/
Written by: Sizwe Saliso – 22 July 2026